Description
Baked ziti is the ultimate comfort food that combines al dente pasta, creamy ricotta, gooey mozzarella, and rich marinara sauce. This easy-to-make dish is perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings with family and friends. With layers of flavor and cheesy goodness, it’s sure to become a household favorite. Prepare to indulge in a warm, satisfying meal that brings everyone together!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 cups marinara sauce
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- Fresh basil (to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook ziti pasta in salted boiling water until al dente.
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef or sausage for about 5-7 minutes; drain excess fat.
- Stir in the marinara sauce with the meat mixture; let simmer for about 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, mix the drained pasta with ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella, half of the Parmesan, and fresh basil.
- In a baking dish, layer half of the meat sauce on the bottom, followed by half of the pasta mixture. Repeat layers.
- Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes; then uncover and bake for an additional 15 minutes until bubbly.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg